Our Measurement Capabilities and Leadership

Understanding Earth systems begins with observing, measuring, and analyzing data collected in the field or sampled remotely. PNNL scientists lead and participate in a broad range of national and international field research campaigns aimed at improving our understanding of the atmosphere and related Earth systems. PNNL is also an international leader in laboratory studies of atmospheric processes, with internationally recognized scientists using one-of-a-kind instruments to probe the fundamental properties of aerosol particles and other components of the atmosphere. Both of these sets of activities leverage our extensive experience with observational programs—including technical direction of the ARM Climate Research Facility and the ARM Aerial Facility and management of the Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory (EMSL)—coupled with expertise in instrument design and deployment. Ultimately, our goal is to use insights gleaned from measurements to improve atmospheric, climate, and Earth system models.

Atmospheric Research Chamber

PNNL’s cutting-edge environmental chamber is used by scientists to simulate, in controlled conditions, the chemical reactions and microphysical processes that occur in the natural atmosphere. Chamber research is focused on understanding the lifecycle of organic aerosols, including their formation, growth, aging (oxidation), re-volatilization, and effect on cloud formation. The data generated in this laboratory is used to reduce the uncertainty associated with representing the organic aerosol lifecycle in climate models. The Atmospheric Research Chamber is located in the Atmospheric Measurements Laboratory.

Ice Nucleation Chamber

Our researchers investigate how aerosol particles influence ice nucleation, which is an important and poorly understood process in clouds found at high latitudes or high in the atmosphere. Under strict temperature and humidity conditions, investigations in this laboratory provide new information on the particular aerosol particles that can lead to the formation of these clouds. This laboratory has ice nucleation chambers that can be cooled down to -50 deg C (-58 deg F) and state-of-the-art optical techniques to detect the moment of freezing. The Ice Nucleation Chamber is located in the Atmospheric Measurements Laboratory.

In Situ Measurements

Obtaining basic information about winds, temperatures, water vapor, and turbulence near the Earth's surface is essential to evaluating atmospheric models and developing new physical parameterizations. PNNL operates several systems to measure this kind of information in the field. These include basic surface meteorological stations, acoustic anemometers for turbulent stress and heat flux, and open-path infrared sensors which, when combined with acoustic anemometers, measure water vapor and carbon dioxide flux.

Surface-based Radiometry

Characterizing the interactions of clouds and aerosols with the surface radiative energy budget requires both solar (broadband shortwave) and terrestrial infrared (broadband longwave) radiation observations. Additionally, solar spectral measurements provide information about atmospheric composition including column concentrations of trace gases and aerosol optical properties and optical depths. When partnered with cloud remote sensing observations the radiation measurements and retrievals allow the characterization of cloud and aerosol radiative effects at the surface, which is essential in order to quantify the amount of radiative energy available at the surface to interact with heating the air, evaporating water, and interacting with clouds and greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.

Remote Sensing

Remote sensing tools provide a means to regularly measure atmospheric quantities in regions of the atmosphere that are difficult or impossible to access with in situ sensors. PNNL has extensive expertise in most forms of atmospheric remote sensing, including radar (for radio detection and ranging), sodar (for sound detection and ranging), and lidar (for light detection and ranging). Radar expertise at the lab includes the operation of wind profiling radars for obtaining profile of the wind (depending on the radar) to heights of 8-10 km above the surface. In addition, PNNL provides the engineering support and expertise for radars designed to measure cloud and precipitation properties as part of the ARM Climate Research Facility. Laboratory staff also operate a sodar, which measures winds up to about 500 m above the surface, primarily in support of wind energy research. Lidars are used to measure aerosol optical properties, trace gas concentrations, temperature and, with Doppler capability, winds and turbulence above the surface. PNNL provides the primary expertise and support to the ARM Climate Research Facility for its lidars as well as applying the use of multiple, coordinated lidar systems to map wind fields for wind energy applications.